“The Worst Person in the World,” August 20, 2022 (2021), DVD. Renate Reinsve won Best Actress at Cannes for her remarkable performance as Julie in this look at the search for love and identity today. We both really liked this Norwegian story that felt a bit like Bergman’s “Scene’s From a Marriage” combined with Allen’s “Annie Hall.”
An unsettled 23-year old, Julie’s quest leads her through several career turns and into serious relationships with Anders Danielson Lei’s Aksel, a 40-ish, acutely analytical graphic novelist in the R. Crumb tradition and, later, Eivind, a sweet barista played by Herbert Nordrum.
Brilliantly directed and co-written by Joachim Trier with his writing partner Eskil Vogt and nominated for a Best Original Screenplay Oscar, the film rings true as a dramatic comedy and tragedy even as it incorporates pure fantasy. Shot in 35mm, the photography brilliantly captures the emotional attitudes at play; even the extended fantasy was shot live without CGI, although a magic mushroom trip got some outside help. The soundtrack and controlled use of sound creates a marvelous atmosphere for the principals to work in.
The film is an honest, textured, and deeply meaningful story; matches and mismatches in life are often just a matter of life cycle and timing. We were very happy we watched the DVD as the “Making of…” special feature added greatly to our experience. See this one.